British Defence policy since 1945

Question 1

Define: Atlantic Alliance

Answer 1

The alliance (Special Relationship) that existed between America and Britain. Britain received financial and military support from the United States; in return, Britain provided lease bases to the U.S and policed the Middle East.

Question 2

Define: Modernisation and rationalization

Answer 2

Identified by the 1957 Sandys Defence Review, reflects the need to reduce defence spending (from 10- 7% of the GDP), and adopt more realistic and achievable policies. (such as the trip wire policy).

Question 3

Define: Trip Wire policy

Answer 3

A policy adopted after the the 1957 Sandys defence review, it allowed for a reduction in numbers deployed on the continent.

Question 4

Define: Interdependance

Answer 4

The decision after the Bermuda Conference of 1957b to pursue a closer relationship with the United States. Thus replacing ‘independence’ for ‘Inter’dependance linked to one other country.

Question 5

Define: Withdrawal from East-of-Suez

Answer 5

The decision taken in 1967 to withdraw British troops from being stationed East-of-Suez, although the region was of concern for British and increasingly U.S security, financial constraints forced the British government to make the decision to withdraw.

Question 6

Define: Doctrine of Flexible response (in Europe)

Answer 6

The policy recommended by Defence secretary Dennis Healy for use in Europe. I tallowed for a reduction in conventional forces and a defence retrenchment.

Question 7

Define: Discourse of Declinism

Answer 7

The belief that Britain was in an economical and political decline as it lost its empire and world influence steadily throughout the twentieth century. This belief is further supported by the fact that the IMF had to effectively bail out the country and save it from bankruptcy in 1976, providing the country with a loan to the tune of £2.6 billion.

Question 8

Define: ‘Seat at the top-table of Global Power’

Answer 8

In the Post 1945 world, many political officials in Britain used this phrase when referring to the fact that Britain should remain and influential global power even though it had been significantly weakened by the war.

Question 9

Define: Atlanticism

Answer 9

Pursuing a closer relationship with the United States across the Atlantic ocean, referring to the perception of an ‘Atlantic World’ coming into being. (The Special Relationship).